Electromagnetically controlled lock



, 1942- i L. J. BARIBAULT I 2,271,966

ELEGTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED LOCK Filed May 26, 1941 .27 2 19 W H MM16 I INVENTOR Patented Feb. 3, 1942 Lucien J. Baribault, New York, N.Y-., assignor of one-half to Julius Fein, New York, N. Y.

Application May 26, 1941, Serial No. 395,182,

19 Claims.

The present invention relates to electro-magnetically controlled locksand aims to provide a lock of the general character indicated which isparticularly adaptable, but not to be limited to controlling the doorsof an automobile or other means having multiple doors as willhereinafter be more fully set forth.

It is the main object of the present invention to provide anelectro-magnetically controlled lock which is simple in construction,easy and economical to fabricate, assemble and install where needed, andadmirably adapted to perform its intended functions.

In the accompanying specification there shall be described and in theannexed drawing shown an illustrative embodiment of the locks of thepresent invention. It is, however, to be clearly understood that thepresent invention is not to be limited tothe exact details herein shownand described for purposes of illustration only inas much as changes maybe made thereinwithout the exercise of invention and within the scope ofthe claims hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is a side 'elevational view of an electro-magneticallycontrolled lock made in accordance with the present invention, the lockbeing shown in a locked position,

Figure 2 is a similar view of thesame in an unlocked position, and

Figure 3 is a partial top plan, partial longitudinal sectional view ofthe same, again in a locked position.

Before describing the invention in detail it is deemed desirable topoint out some of the shortcomings of the means hither-to used forlocking multiple doors, particularly in automobiles, and point out themanner in which the present invention overcomes and eliminates theseshortcomings. For example, at the present time the doorsof automobilesare provided with individual locking means so that it is necessary whenthe operator leaves the vehicle to stretch back from the front seat andset the locking means for the rear doors. Likewise, when the operatorenters the vehicle, if other persons intend to enter the same by therear doors, it is necessary,- after opening the front door, to reach inand unlock the rear doors from the inside. The present inventionprovides a lock which eliminates these inconveniences; for, by means ofthe present invention there is provided a lock which can be installed inthree of the four doors of a ve-' hicle, and all three can be controlledfrom a cen-' tral point, associated, for example, with the front doorused by the operator. It is, of course, to be clearly understood thatthe operation of the presmagnetically controlled lock would bedesirable. i Referring now in detail to the aforesaid illus-' trativeembodiment of the present inventionand with particular reference to thedrawing illustrating the same, the numeral 5 designates a plate-inwhichthere is slidably mounted; a sliding bolt 6, the outer end of whichis adapted to cooperate with akeeper (not shown), and which is normallymaintained in the locked position shown in Figure l of the drawing bymeans of a spring I. The bolt 6, is adapted to be moved out of itslocked position by means of a lug 8 cooperablewith a recess 9 111 thebolt, the lug being carried, on a shaft I31 adapted to be rotated by anydesired key mechanism.

-Rotatably .mounted in the plate 5, adjacent the inner end of the bolt6, is a shaft ll having fixed thereon a cradle I2 consisting of a hubl3. and arms 14 and I5 extending frompthe hub 'at right angles-to eachother; Cooperable with the cradle l2, and partially-surrounding thesame, is an arcuate flange it carried by the plate 5,. the arrangementbeing such that a weighted ball or detent H is retained in the cradlel2. Theflange I6 is provided with an opening l6 receptive of the innerend of the bolt 6. Depending from the underside'of each of the arms l5and 16 are prolow the core 24 of an electro-magnet 25.

One end of the electro-magnet is grounded to the plate 5 by'means of aconductor 26. The other end of the electromagnet is co'nnectedby aconductor 27' to one side of the source of electric current 28. Theother side of the source of electric current 28 is connected by aconductor 29 to a contact 30 carried by the plate 5 and insulatedtherefrom. Associated with the shaft 10 is a leaf contact- 3| adapted,when the shaft I0 is rotated by a key mechanism, to wipingly en gage the*contact 30 and thereby momentarily close the electric circuit'throughthe electromagnet 25. I

This completes the description of the aforesaid illustrative embodimentof thepresent invention and the operation thereof may be brieflysummarized as follows:

It will be noted from Figure 1 of the drawing thatthe cradle I2 is insuch position that the weighted detent ll is'supported on the arm i4adjacent 'the inner end of'the bolt 6. ,In this figure of the drawing,the bolt is shown ini'ts locked position and until the weighted detentI1 is moved'out of the path of the bolt 6, the latter cannot be movedinto an'unlocked position. Whenit is desired to" unlock the device a keymechanism (not shown) is operated to start the rotation of the shaft ID.This operation brings the contact 3| momentarily into engagement withthe contact 30 thus completing an electric circuit through theelectro-magnet 25. The electrical impulse to the electro-magnet 25causes the attraction, with a snap action, of the lever 2| to the core24 and this movement is transmitted, by virtueof the engagement of thecam 20 with the projection Hi to the cradle I2. The latter is rockedthereby, throwing the weighted detent I! over into a position restingupon the other arm 15 of the cradle, as shown in Figure 2 of thedrawing. Of course, as soon as the contacts 3| and 30 are separated, thelever 2| returns to its normal downward position and the continuedrotation of the shaft I0 of the key mechanism through the engagement ofthe lug 8 in recess of the bolt 6, permits the bolt to be moved out ofengagement with its keeper (not shown). It will be noted that the latteraction is permitted to take place by reason of the fact that there is nolonger any obstruction in the path of the inner end of the bolt 6. Thenext time that the key mechanism is operated to rotate the shaft 10, thereverse operations take place; that is, the bolt may be moved into itslocked position, immediately followed by momentarily charging the electro-magnet and thereby returning the cradle and the weighted detentcarried thereby to the original position shown in Figure 1 of thedrawing.

This completes the description of the operation of the mode of use ofthe present invention. It will be noted from all of the foregoing thatthere is provided by means of the present invention anelectro-magnetically controlled lock which is simple in construction,easy and economical to fabricate and assemble and admirably adapted topermit its intended functions.

In order to adapt the lock of the present invention to the situationabove described in connection with the multiple doors of an automobile,a lock of this type is installed at each of the doors except one and itis the key mechanism at that one door that controls the flow of currentto the electro-magnets.

Other objects and advantages of the device of the present invention willbe obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionrelates.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, a weighted detent carried by said cradle, andelectro-magnetic means cooperable with said cradle to rock the same witha snap action whereby the detent carried thereby is alternately shiftedin and out of the path of movement of the sliding bolt.

2. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, said cradle including a hub and a pair of arms extendingtherefrom at right angles to each other, a weighted detent carried bysaid cradle, and electro-magnetic means cooperable with said cradle torock the same with a snap action whereby the detent carried thereby isalternately shifted from one of said arms to the other corre sponding topositions in and out of the path of movement of the sliding bolt.

3. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, a weighted detent carried by said cradle, andelectro-magnetic means cooperable with said cradle to rock the same witha snap action whereby the detent carried thereby is alternately shiftedin and out of the path of movement of the sliding bolt, the electricalimpulses to said electro-m'agnetic means being controlled by a switchoperated by the key which moves the sliding bolt.

4. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, said cradle including a huband a pair of arms extendingthereform at right angles to each other, 'a weighted detent carried bysaid cradle, and electro-magnetic means cooperable with said cradle torock the same with a snap action whereby the detent carried thereby isalternately shifted from one of said arms to the other corresponding topositions in and out of the path of the sliding bolt, the electricalimpulses to said electro-magnetic means being controlled by a switchoperated by the key which moves the sliding bolt.

5. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, a weighted detent carried by said cradle, electro-magneticmeans cooperable with said cradle to rock the same with 'a snap actionwhereby the detent carried thereby is alternately shifted in and out ofthe path of movement of the sliding bolt, and means cooperable with saidcradle to guide said detent during said shifting.

6. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, a weighted detent carried by said cradle, electro-magneticmeans cooperable with said cradle to rock the same with a snap actionwhereby the detent carried thereby is alternately shifted in and out ofthe path of movement of the sliding bolt, and an arcuate flangecooperable with said cradle to guide said detent during said shifting.

'7. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, said cradle including a hub and a pair of arms extendingtherefrom at right angles to each other, a weighted detent carried bysaid cradle, electro-magnetic means cooperable with said cradle to rockthe same with a snap action whereby the detent carried thereby isalternately shifted from one of said arms to the other corresponding toposition in and out of the path of movement of the sliding bolt, andmeans cooperable with said cradle to guide said detent during saidshifting.

8. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, a weighted detent carried by said cradle, electro-magneticmeans cooperable with said cradle to rock the same with a snap actionwhereby the detent carried thereby is alternately shifted in and out ofthe path of movement of the sliding bolt, and means cooperable with saidcradle to guide said detent during said shifting, the electricalimpulses to said electro-magnetic means being controlled by a switchoperated by the key which moves the sliding bolt.

9. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, said cradle including a hub and a pair of arms extendingtherefrom at right angles to each other, a weighted detent carried bysaid cradle,

, electro-magnetic means cooperable with said cradle to rock the samewith a snap action where- I by the detent carried thereby is alternatelyshifted from one of said-arms to the other corresponding to position inand out of the path of movement of the sliding bolt, and meanscooperable with said cradle to guide said detent during said shifting,the electrical impulses to said electromagnetic means being controlledby a switch operated by the key which moves the sliding bolt.

10. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, said cradle including a hub and a pair of arms extendingtherefrom at right angles to each other, a weighted detent carried bysaid the sliding bolt, the electrical impulses to said electro-magneticmeans being controlled by a switch operated by the key whichmoves thesliding bolt.

. 15. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrycradle, electro-magnetic means cooperable withing bolt, a weighted detent carried by said cradle, electro-magneticmeans cooperable with said cradle to rock the same with a snap actionwhereby the detent carried thereby is alternately shifted in and out ofthe path of movement of the sliding bolt, and an arcuate flangecooperable with said cradle to guide said detent during said shifting,the electrical impulses to said electromagnetic means being controlledby a switch operated by the key which moves the sliding bolt.

12. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising adetent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, said cradle including a hub and a pair of arms extendingtherefrom at right angles to each other, a weighted detent carried bysaid cradle, electro-magnetic means cooperable with said cradle to rockthe same with a snap action whereby the detent carried thereby isalternately shifted from one of said arms to the other corresponding topositions in'and out of the path of movement of the sliding bolt, and anarcuate flange cooperable with said cradle to guide said detent duringsaid shifting, the electrical impulses to said electro-magnetic meansbeing controlled by a switch operated by the key which moves the slidingbolt.

13. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, a weighted detent carried by said cradle, a pivotallymounted cam, and electro-magnetic means cooperable with said cam toimpart thereto a snap thrust, in turn transmitted to said cradle wherebythe latter is rocked with asnap action to alternately shift the detentcarried and out of the path of movement of the sliding bolt, and meanscooperable with said cradle to guide said detent during said shifting.

16. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, a weighted detent carried by said cradle, a pivotallymounted cam, electro-magnetic means cooperable with said cam to impartthereto a snap thrust, in turn transmitted to said cradle whereby thelatter is rocked with a snap action to alternately shift the detentcarried thereby in and out of the path of movement of the sliding bolt,and an arcuate flange cooperable with said cradle to guide said detentduring said shifting.

17. Means for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lock,comprising a detent-carrying cradle pivotally mounted adjacent thesliding bolt, a weighted detent carried by said cradle, a pivotallymounted cam, electro-magnetic means cooperable with said cam to impartthereto a snap thrust, in turn transmitted to said cradle whereby thelatter is rocked with a snap action to alternately shift the detentcarried thereby in and out of the path of movement of the sliding bolt,and means cooperable with said cradle to guide said detent during saidshifting, the

electrical impulses to said electro-magnetic means being controlled by aswitch operated by the key which moves the sliding bolt.

cooperable with said cam to impart thereto a thereby in and out of thepath of movement of ing cradle pivotally mounted adjacent the slidingbolt, a weighted detent carried by said cradle, a pivotally mounted cam,and electro-magnetic snap thrust, in turn transmitted to said cradlewhereby the latter is rocked with a snap action to alternately shift thedetent carried thereby in and out of the path 'of movement of thesliding bolt, and an arcuate flange cooperable withsaid cradle to guidesaid detent during said shifting, the electrical impulses to saidelectro-magnetic means being controlled by a switch operated by the keywhich moves the sliding bolt.

19. A device for controlling the movement of the sliding bolt of a lockcomprising means for supporting a weight adjacent the sliding bolt, aweight carried by said first named means, and electrical meanscooperable with said first named means to operate the same whereby saidweight is alternately shifted in and out of the path of I movement ofthe sliding bolt.

LUCIEN J. BARIBAUL'I.

